Marijuana Dispensaries banned in Newport Beach

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on November 30, 2015.

The Newport Beach City Council passed an ordinance last week, banning marijuana dispensaries, cultivation centers and delivery of medical pot. The ban was proposed following the approval of California’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act in October 2015. The new law would take effect from January 1, 2016.

Despite protests from two public speakers last week, the Newport Beach City Council did not relent and passed the ordinance, making all brick-and-mortar marijuana dispensaries and delivery services in Newport Beach illegal. The ordinance was introduced on November 10.

The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act will create California's first statewide licensing and operating rules for marijuana growers and manufacturers of cannabis products and retail outlets. It can be noted that medical marijuana was legalized in California nearly 20 years ago.

Newport Beach City Council had earlier did not address medical marijuana although dispensaries were not allowed to operate in the city. While no brick-and-mortar marijuana dispensaries did not operate in Newport Beach, several online services still claim that they deliver marijuana to people in the city.